The Doris Michiko Ching Award for Excellence as a Student Affairs Professional award “honors a student affairs professional at the mid-level, senior-level or associate vice president-level whose outstanding commitment to the profession includes development of programs that address the needs of students, creation of a campus environment that promotes student learning and development and support of and active engagement in NASPA.”

“Doris Ching was one of few individuals to hold both the role of NASPA board chair and the NASPA Foundation board chair. When looking to rename the mid-level award, one that acknowledges the future leaders of our profession, no better person embodies this than Dr. Ching, who focused much of her tenure in the field mentoring and creating opportunities for all professionals,” said NASPA President Kevin Kruger. “Dr. Ching was also the first woman of color to serve as board chair of NASPA and has had a lifetime commitment to equity and inclusion within higher education. The NASPA board felt it was only fitting to name the mid-level professional award in her honor.”

Previously known as the Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award, the Doris Michiko Ching award was recently renamed for Ching, and is handed out annually at NASPA’s annual conference.

More about Doris Ching

Ching, who took over as interim chancellor at UH West Oʻahu on January 1, is a former vice president for student affairs at the University of Hawaiʻi.

She is the first woman of color and first Asian American Pacific Islander to be elected chair of the NASPA board of directors (1999–2000) and chair of the NASPA foundation board (2002–2004).